Senior Applications Engineer

Applications Engineer

Founded in 2015 to develop the world's first industrially scalable laser metal additive manufacturing solution, VulcanForms is reshaping how the world manufactures critical products. VulcanForms builds and operates advanced digital infrastructure that enables innovation, accelerates growth, and supports sustainability across aerospace, defense, medical, and other essential industries. Through our vertically integrated capabilities, including scalable additive manufacturing and precision machining, we deliver true end-to-end production at scale by combining cutting-edge technology with a foundation of proven industrial craftsmanship. Our team brings deep expertise in manufacturing, materials science, software, automation, and operations, united by a shared commitment to quality, curiosity, and accountability. We foster an inclusive culture where people take ownership, solve meaningful problems, and continuously learn, because we believe diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes.

Job Purpose

The Applications Engineer serves as the senior technical bridge between customer product requirements and VulcanForms' manufacturing capability. This role assesses feasibility early in the sales cycle, produces first-cut design concepts to validate fit, and translates customer requirements into documentation our internal product development teams can act on. A core part of this role is acting as the senior technical voice alongside sales in proposals and customer-facing conversations.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze customer product requirements and consult on how VulcanForms' manufacturing capabilities can match customer needs
• Design first-cut product proposals to assess customer product requirements, surfacing risks or constraints early and with credibility customers trust
• Gather and document all customer requirements for internal consumption by NPI engineering teams, ensuring nothing is lost in translation between customer intent and internal execution
• Partner closely with sales on technical proposals and customer meetings, serving as the senior technical presence in high-stakes commercial conversations

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in an applications engineering, sales engineering, or technical product role within a manufacturing environment, with demonstrated ability to operate at a senior, customer-facing level
• Demonstrated ability to assess technical feasibility quickly and communicate constraints or tradeoffs clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior customer stakeholders
• Strong written communication skills - able to translate customer conversations into documentation engineering teams can build from
• A natural relationship-builder - personable, engaging, and comfortable operating as the senior technical presence in customer-facing and sales conversations, including with sophisticated industrial buyers

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in metal additive manufacturing or 3D printing strongly preferred
• Experience in adjacent metal manufacturing processes (precision machining, casting, forging) considered if additive-specific background isn't available
• Experience supporting a technical sales cycle in a complex, engineered-to-order or highly customized manufacturing environment
• Experience working cross-functionally with both design/engineering teams and sales teams as separate stakeholder groups with different needs

VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match.

The annual base salary range for this position is $140,800 to $193,698 and is eligible for additional variable compensation.